KENNEDY, John Spinks, of Lauderdale, is a native of Alabama, and was educated at LaGrange College. He studied law, and,
when young, was elected a Representative in the Legislature, in 1841, and served again in 1842, after which he engaged more
earnestly in the practice of the law. In 1847, he was a Repre sentative, and was elected Solicitor of the Florence Circuit, and was reflected in 1851 and in 1855.
From early life, Mr. Kennedy evinced good judgment in forming, and energy and perseverance in the prosecution of, his plans.
Withal he possessed the faculty too much wanting in young men, of husbanding and using their means profitably. Following this
dictate of prudence, he has been led on to independence and use fulness as a manufacturer. Before the war he had engaged largely
in this pursuit in North- Alabama. During that period, when the Federal troops invaded that portion of the State, he became a
refugee, and made his abode at Tuskaloosa, where, in connection with other gentlemen, he controlled the cotton factory in that
place. Since then, he has built a factory a few miles from Tuska loosa, which is appropriately called Kennedalean establishment
likely to exert no little influence in advancing the interest of the surrounding country. In his history and success he is a striking
example of what may be reached by persevering industry and frugality. Much to his credit, he is liberal and public-spirited in the application of his means.
Perhaps this is a proper occasion for the indulgence of a few thoughts, intended chiefly for young men. In the fortunes of Mr.
Kennedy it is seen what may be accomplished by good manage ment, from early youth. When he came to the Legislature, in
1841, he, no doubt, marked out for himself a bright career in the public service. It required considerable nerve to change the
Constitution, so as to legalize biennial sessions of the Legislature 1 , and to reduce the quota of Senators and Representatives as pre
viously fixed bylaw. Yet he offered resolutions for this purpose, which passed the House, but were defeated in the Senate. His
proposition, however, in regard to biennial sessions afterward became engrafted on the Constitution, where it remained until that
instrument became a prey to the misfortunes which fell upon the South in 1865, as the results of the war. His experience in Legis
lative halls* and in the judicial tribunals, no doubt satisfied his curiosity, without perhaps surfeiting his manly ambition ; and he,
therefore, directed his mind to other pursuits as likely to confer a better reward. Hence, he became a manufacturer of cotton goods,
and was probably the first lawyer in Alabama who abandoned his profession, and all political preferment, to engage in this laudable
work. Now, he has &finandal influence felt and recognized by the public, constituting him, by way of preeminence, a man of the
solid doss, while hundreds and thousands of young men still linger on the threshold of the learned professions, or in comparative idle
ness, who might profitably emulate the example of Mr. Kennedy, and at once secure their own fortunes and the prosperity of their native South. Let the voice be heard and respected.
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama 1872
KEYES, Wade - also resides in this county, but is a native of Limestone. His father, Gen. Keyes, was a planter, and merchant at Mooresville, where the son was born in 1821. His
mother was a Miss Rutledge of Tennessee. Educated at Lagrange College and the University of Virginia, he read law under the eye of Judge Coleman in Athens, and in Lexington,
Kentucky* After a tour in Europe, he located in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1844. While there he wrote a volume on contingent remainders, and another on the practice hi chancery.
In 1851 he removed to Montgomery, this State. At the session of the general assembly in 1853 he was elected chancellor of the southern division, over Messrs Bugbee of Montgomery,
and Sterling G. Cato of Barbour. He filled this station with marked ability for six years. In 1861 he was appointed assistant attorney general of the Confederate States, and held the position during the existence of that government He resumed tho duties of his profession at the close of tho war in Montgomery, but came to reside in this county in 1867,
and an office in Florence. Chancellor Keyes is justly admired for a profound knowledge of law, and for the dignity
and impartiality with which he presided as a judicial officer. His attainments as a scholar are shown hi the ease and clearness of his writings, which are restricted to professional subjects, and are valued by the members of the bar. He married a daughter of Gen. George Whitfield of Florida.
Alabama - Her Resources and History by Willis Brewer 1872
KILLEN, Henry Alexander, business man, was born January 31, 1837, at Bluewater,
Lauderdale County; son of John and Susan (Richardson) Killen, the former a native of Averysboro, N. C., who was a major of militia
for a number of years; grandson of James and Nancy (McDougal) Killen, and of John and Catherine (Stubbs) Richardson, of Landerdale County. The Killens were of Irish descent; the McDougals, Scotch; the Richardsons, English; and the Stubbs, Dutch. 'He received a limited education in the country schools; engaged
in farming and merchandising; was elected county commissioner in 1874, and served two successive terms; represented Lauderdale County in the State legislature, 1896, 1898, 1902 and 1906. During the War of Secession,
he entered the C. S. Army as first lieutenant of Co. E, Twenty-seventh Alabama infantry regiment, serving throughout the war. He is a Democrat and a Mason. Married: (1) in December, 1860, to Mary Allen, deceased,
daughter of Bluford and Telltha (Harrison) Allen, of Lauderdale County; (2) July 26, 1866, to Sallie A., daughter of John and Marcy (Mayfield) Robinson, of the same county.
Children: 1. James Sharp, m. Jennie Peden; 2. Nettie Jane, m. R. F. Williams; 3. Mary Cora, m. John Springer; 4. Birdie Lee, m. William 5. Daniel Fisher, m. Maud Mackey; 6. Robert Bruce, m. Velma Hall; 7. Sallie Cleveland, m. Mead Harwell. Residence: Green Hill.
History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography / Thoms McAdory Owen 1921
